Resource Sharing. Part 1

Resource sharing agreements allow businesses or organizations to share personnel to meet a surge. They are typically used in disaster situations, however concepts can be drawn and applied to other situations.  Examples include parking lot attendants, safety personnel, public information officers, kitchen help, a clean-up crew, a graphic artist, an auctioneer or any other applicable resource. A catering business may have a huge order and insufficient staff. This could cause the loss of a large agreement. Instead of losing to another company, set up a resource sharing agreement to call up staff from another catering business to meet the immediate need. The agreement would require the requesting organization to compensate the sending organization for wages and benefits, plus an agreed amount for administrative cost. This same concept may be applied to a floral shop, clinic, accounting firm or any other non-technical company or nonprofit. Churches and other nonprofits may need extra staff to register guests for an event, welcome or help seat guests. Many churches have an abundance and rotate musicians or volunteers where as others may be able to offer a  guest speaker. The second post in this series will address logistics sharing agreements.

Bikes Friendly Workplaces

Bike Safety and etiquette are hot topics in western Oregon. There is easy access to bike shops in urban areas. Recently we visited a volunteer led, fee-based bicycle repair shop where novelist and experienced cyclists can stop in for a quick fix. Bicycle mechanics are available to provide information and guidance. Now let's put this in the context of a small business or nonprofit setting. What would happen if employees could come together in the work place before or after their shift, or during their lunch hour to maintain their bicycle? All it takes is a space the size of a single garage, a couple bike stands, tool to work on wheels, and a little shelf space, a tool library and resource guides. On-site resources promote a healthier life style, dialogue to use cycling in fundraising efforts, team building through cycling, and community outreach. Businesses and nonprofits can help be creating safe zones for employees to secure their bikes and associated equipment. Now lets extend that question to other forms of transportation. Employers can create a postive helping environment by providing access to resources for users of electric wheel chairs and motorized scooters. Wheel chair races and wheel chair basketball afford persons with handicaps to laugh, play, become role models and be viewed as differently abled. Support resources may include staffing the space with volunteers who are trained in repair and providing access to tools. A disabled person may or may not be able to assist, however they can certainly gain knowlege and become aware of maintenence needs, preventive measures and can instruct others on how to help if necessary.

 

Earthquake or Health Crisis?

Three day ktis are old news. New recommendations vary. In recent disasters help was weeks away for some. Common sense goes a long way.

If your small business or organization closed the doors who would be affected? For how long? How long can your entity tolerate a payroll distruption? How long can vendors carry you without payment? Preparedness is not an event. It is a continuous process which requires evaluation and improvement.  The chances of a major earthquake in our region is high, but will it happen next week or in ten years? Rather than rolling the dice, consider the benefits of preparedness. Think of preparedness like low cost insurance against a structural fire, decline in business, lay offs. Now extend this to a personal level. Most entities have had co-workers or volunteers who have experienced a personal crisis. In a healthy workplace colleages rally around the affected person and offer support and resources. Resilient employees and volunteers are like leaven which rises and permeates the small business or organizational environment. If something adverse happened today, would your entity bounce or thunk? If cash is tight, focus on things that are free or very low cost, but don't delay. Take a look at our Resource page for more information.